Hopes that the Little Bettys shop could carry on trading were quashed today.
The business is to close completely after 50 years on Stonegate, owners have announced.
We reported in March that the venue was closing its café. At that stage the shop was left as a going concern.
However, owners Bettys and Taylors began a consultation on closing the shop last month. And today the Harrogate-based firm confirmed it was to move out of Stonegate.
A Bettys and Taylors spokesperson said: “The smallest of Bettys six Yorkshire branches, Little Bettys is housed in a unique, historic building, full of charm and quirks.
“While its character is much loved by customers and staff alike, it is an increasingly challenging environment to operate in, and the least commercially viable of the branches.
“With Bettys flagship branch in St Helen’s Square just a short walk away, having a small standalone shop wasn’t practical.”
Nine staff affected
There is no date set for closure as yet, as the company is focusing on efforts to redeploy the nine staff affected.
Company managing director Simon Eyles said: “This has been a very tough decision, but one we have made for the long-term future of our business.
“Our people are our strength and we are focussing our energy now to find opportunities for the Little Bettys team in other roles within the business. We’re hugely grateful for their ongoing support and commitment.
“Our thanks also go to our customers. Many have visited Little Bettys regularly for years, sometimes decades, and we know that lots of memories are bound up here.
“We hope people will be able to pay us a last visit at Little Bettys and that we can help them create new memories in our other branches over the years to come.”
Bettys and Taylors own the property on Stonegate but has nothing planned for what will happen to the building next.
The remaining five Bettys branches remain open as usual.